Dear Editor,
I am writing this letter to hopefully encourage changes that need to happen with our rail system. I live in the Bristow, Oklahoma area and have recently had to deal with the possibility of there being street closings in trade for upgrades to 3 crossings. I am appalled that the current standard of railroad crossing maintenance is so low. When our city leaders initially visited with WATCO about the need for better crossings, they were told about a federal grant program that for every crossing that the city leaders agreed to close, they would upgrade 3. That would include new rails, arms and signals for those that would be upgraded. Once citizens realized that our leaders not only agreed to 1 but two closings, they were upset. I don’t understand why we have to give up access to our first responders and citizens to have decent crossings. Closing crossings may benefit the railroad, but it doesn’t benefit our community.
We are trying to grow and having streets permanently closed for the benefit of the railroad is not progressive for our community.
I am hoping that the standards for the railroad crossings will be updated and upgraded to benefit the First Responders and Citizens in every community. I’m sure we are not the only community that is being affected. We need your help!
Sincerely, Carla Holzrichter CC: WATCO Railroad 334998 915 RD, Wellston, OK 74881 Kyle Hilbert Kyle.hilbert@okhouse.gov Congressman Frank Lucas 11528 SW 15 th Street, Ste 200 Yukon, OK 73099 (405) 373-1958 Senator James Lankford 1015 N Broadway Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73102 (405) 231-4941 Markwayne Mullin 15 W 6 th St, Ste. 2100 Tulsa, OK 74119 (918) 921-8520 If you would like a cpy of this letter, send your email address to holzrichtercarla@gmail and one will be sent to you.